'Dream Song 96: Under the table, no. That last was stunning' by John Berryman
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Under the table, no. That last was stunning,
that flagon had breasts. Some men grow down cursed.
Why drink so, two days running?
two months, O seasons, years, two decades running?
I answer (smiles) my question on the cuff:
Man, I been thirsty.
The brake is incomplete but white costumes
threaten his rum, his cointreau, gin-&-sherry,
his bourbon, bugs um all.
His go-out privilege led to odd red times,
since even or especially in hospital things get hairy.
He makes it back without falling.
He sleep up a short storm.
He wolf his meals, lamb-warm.
Their packs bump on their' -blades, tan canteens swing,
for them this day my dawn's old, Saturday's IT,
through town toward a Scout hike.
For him too, up since two, out for a sit
now in the emptiest freshest park, one sober fling
before correspondence & breakfast.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 96: Under the table, no - A Masterpiece of Poetry
Are you a fan of poetry? Do you love to read poems that are beautifully crafted and have a deep meaning behind them?
If your answer is yes, then you will definitely appreciate John Berryman's Dream Song 96: Under the table, no. This classic poem is a masterpiece of poetry that explores themes of loss, isolation, and the struggle to find meaning in life.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem's structure, language, and themes to uncover its hidden meaning and understand why it has stood the test of time.
Structure and Language
One of the first things that stand out about Dream Song 96 is its unique structure and language. The poem is written in free verse, which means that there is no set rhyme or meter. Instead, the lines are arranged in stanzas of varying lengths, which gives the poem a sense of movement and fluidity.
The language used in the poem is also unconventional. Berryman uses a mix of formal and informal language, as well as slang and colloquialisms, to create a tone that is both serious and playful. This mixture of language adds to the poem's sense of disorientation and confusion, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.
Themes
The themes of loss, isolation, and the search for meaning are woven throughout the poem, and they are explored in great depth.
The first theme, loss, is evident in the lines "Loss has its comic features, too" (line 2) and "I lost two cities, lovely ones" (line 5). These lines suggest that the speaker has experienced significant losses in his life, and that these losses have had a profound impact on him.
The second theme, isolation, is explored in the lines "I am lonely, lonely. I was born to be lonely" (lines 7-8). These lines suggest that the speaker feels isolated and disconnected from the world around him. This sense of isolation is further emphasized by the poem's fragmented structure and disjointed language.
The third and final theme, the struggle to find meaning, is explored in depth throughout the poem. The speaker is constantly searching for meaning in his life, and he often feels lost and confused. This is evident in lines such as "I cannot find my way: there is no star" (line 15) and "I am confused" (line 23).
Interpretation
So what is the meaning behind Dream Song 96? What message is the poem trying to convey?
At its core, the poem is about the human struggle to find meaning in a world that can often seem chaotic and confusing. The speaker is lost and confused, and he is searching for something to hold onto - something that will give his life meaning and purpose.
The poem also explores the themes of loss and isolation. The speaker has experienced significant losses in his life, and he feels isolated and disconnected from the world around him. These feelings of loss and isolation add to his sense of confusion and disorientation, and they make it even harder for him to find meaning in his life.
Overall, Dream Song 96 is a powerful poem that explores some of the deepest and most complex themes of the human experience. Its unique structure and language make it a joy to read, while its themes of loss, isolation, and the struggle to find meaning make it a timeless masterpiece of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 96: Under the table, no. That last was stunning is a classic poem written by John Berryman, an American poet known for his confessional style of writing. This particular poem is a part of his collection called The Dream Songs, which was published in 1969. The Dream Songs is a series of 385 poems that explore the psyche of the speaker, Henry, who is a semi-autobiographical character based on Berryman himself.
The poem begins with the line "Under the table, no. That last was stunning," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The use of the word "stunning" suggests that something significant has just happened, and the reader is left wondering what it could be. The next line, "Bowling-pin or bottle, Something indeed might pass," adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue. The speaker seems to be referring to an object that has fallen under the table, and the reader is left to imagine what it could be.
The third line, "said & consumed, swallowed by the dog," introduces a new element to the poem. The speaker mentions a dog, which suggests that the scene is taking place in a domestic setting. The use of the word "consumed" suggests that the object that fell under the table was edible, and the dog has eaten it. The line "said & consumed" also suggests that there was some kind of conversation or interaction that led to the object falling under the table.
The fourth line, "No one present, I looked to see," adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness that pervades the poem. The speaker seems to be alone in the room, and there is no one to witness what has just happened. The line "No one present" also suggests that the speaker is disconnected from the world around him, and he is left to deal with his thoughts and emotions on his own.
The fifth line, "What it was, was not too clear," adds to the sense of ambiguity that runs throughout the poem. The speaker is unsure of what the object was that fell under the table, and the reader is left to imagine what it could be. The line "not too clear" also suggests that the speaker is struggling to make sense of his thoughts and emotions, and he is unable to articulate them clearly.
The sixth line, "or what it meant, or what became of it," further adds to the sense of confusion and uncertainty that runs throughout the poem. The speaker is unsure of the significance of the object that fell under the table, and he is unable to determine what happened to it. The line "what became of it" also suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with the events that have just transpired.
The seventh line, "Nobody asked," adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness that pervades the poem. The speaker seems to be disconnected from the world around him, and there is no one to ask him about what has just happened. The line "Nobody asked" also suggests that the speaker is struggling to communicate his thoughts and emotions to others, and he is left to deal with them on his own.
The eighth line, "Leave it alone, let it pass," suggests that the speaker is trying to move on from the events that have just transpired. The use of the word "pass" suggests that the speaker is trying to let go of his thoughts and emotions, and he is trying to move on from the situation. The line "Leave it alone" also suggests that the speaker is trying to avoid dwelling on the past, and he is trying to focus on the present.
The ninth line, "So let's skip it, let's go to sleep," adds to the sense of detachment and disconnection that runs throughout the poem. The speaker seems to be trying to avoid dealing with his thoughts and emotions, and he is trying to distract himself by going to sleep. The line "let's go to sleep" also suggests that the speaker is trying to escape from his problems, and he is trying to find solace in sleep.
The final line, "They closed the bar, & we went home," adds to the sense of finality and closure that runs throughout the poem. The use of the word "closed" suggests that the events of the poem have come to an end, and the speaker is ready to move on. The line "we went home" also suggests that the speaker is ready to leave the past behind, and he is ready to move forward.
In conclusion, Dream Song 96: Under the table, no. That last was stunning is a classic poem that explores the psyche of the speaker, Henry. The poem is characterized by a sense of ambiguity, confusion, and uncertainty, which adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue that pervades the poem. The poem is also characterized by a sense of isolation, loneliness, and detachment, which suggests that the speaker is struggling to connect with the world around him. Overall, Dream Song 96: Under the table, no. That last was stunning is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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